Multilayer polymer structures exploit the stacking of distinct polymeric layers to impart tailored combinations of mechanical strength, barrier performance, thermal stability and optical properties.

2D polymers are a novel class of nanomaterials that combine the structural features of polymers with the two-dimensional geometry of graphene and other 2D materials. These polymers consist of ...

The structure of semi-crystalline polymers largely depends on how strongly their molecular chains are entangled. Following numerous experiments, researchers developed a new model to predict the ...

The most common method for synthesizing polymers with a carbon–carbon main chain backbone is vinyl polymerization, by which many industrially important polymers, including common plastics such as ...

Entropy gets a bad rap. Typically associated with randomness and chaos, it can also correlate with freedom and diversity.

Explore the transformation of recycled polymers into a mainstream commodity market, driven by regulatory changes and demand ...

Early smart materials were typically amorphous polymers, hydrogels, or liquid crystalline systems with randomly distributed responsive groups, which limited response speed, energy efficiency, and the ...

Elastomers and thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are used in many areas of everyday life. While elastomers are cross-linked materials, TPEs can be melted again. Depending on the polymer matrix and ...

In this article, we embark on a fascinating journey through the field of polymer degradation, unraveling the intricate processes behind their breakdown, the factors that influence this degradation, ...

A collaboration of scientists at the University of Manchester and the University of Birmingham has explored a more effective and less toxic way of delivering genetic material into cells, a challenge ...